That's where planning pays off.
Whether you're working with a university archive, a research library, or an off-site collections facility, asking the right questions early can save a ton of time (and budget) later on. These nine key considerations will help guide your strategy, keep construction on track, and ensure your storage system delivers for decades to come.
Site Selection: Location, Location, Location
High-bay storage systems are tall, heavy, and incredibly efficient...but only if the building can support them. That's why site selection is step one in planning your library storage facility.
Whether you're repurposing an older structure or building something new on the edge of campus, you'll want to start with soil and structural testing. These systems place a lot of pressure on your foundation, and it's critical to ensure the site can handle the weight of both the shelving and your stored materials.
And while real estate prices often push off-site storage into less-than-central locations, performance doesn't have to suffer — as long as the groundwork is solid. (Literally.)
Space Requirements That Actually Plan Ahead
It's easy to plan for the collection you have today. But what about tomorrow? Or five years from now? Or ten?
When it comes to library storage facilities, future-proofing is essential. That means thinking beyond your current inventory and designing a system that can grow with your institution. High-bay storage isn't just about stacking shelves sky-high, it's about making sure there's room to scale.
Today's best practice? Storing materials by box size, not by subject. With everything barcoded and digitally tracked, it doesn't matter where each item lives physically. That flexibility allows you to maximize capacity without compromising retrieval speed. Smart now, smarter later.
If you're building for the future, give your system the space to grow into it.
Environmental Controls that Actually Control Things
If you're storing valuable collections, consistent temperature, stable humidity, and proper airflow aren't just nice-to-haves. They're critical to long-term preservation.
The general rule of thumb? Keep humidity between 30-50%, with lower on that scale being even better. And remember, it's not just about the settings — it's about the system itself. HVAC units, vents, and fans all take up real estate and should be factored into your layout from day one.
Bottom line: climate control isn't optional in a library storage facility. It's the foundation of keeping collections intact for the long haul.
Height Isn't the Only Thing to Measure
Pardon us for pointing out the obvious, but high-bay systems are, well, tall. That's the point. But what often gets overlooked is everything else that goes into making those heights usable.
Picker and lift integration is essential — not just for the machine itself, but the space it needs to operate safely and efficiently. That includes aisle width, turning radius, and even storage for lift accessories. You're not just building up; you're building around. The more detailed your layout is up front, the smoother things go later.
Give Processing Space the Respect It Deserves
It's easy to focus on shelves and forget about the people using them. But no library storage facility runs smoothly without space for processing.
Staff need room to sort materials by size, load boxes onto carts, take notes, and handle the day-to-day flow of incoming and outgoing volumes. Lift carts often double as mobile workstations, so it's not just about floor space but creating an efficient workspace within the shelving environment.
A well-planned library storage facility accounts for more than storage. It makes sure the people running the show have what they need to do the job right.
Meet Code Before It Surprises You
High-bay storage facilities have to do more than just stand tall. They've got to meet code, too. Fire codes, in particular, can shape everything from how high your shelves can go to how wide your water mains need to be.
Sprinkler placement, clearance heights, and fire suppression systems are all critical factors in your facility's design. That's why looping in a fire protection engineer early is a smart move — they'll help you avoid costly surprises down the line.
And it's not just about fire. ADA requirements, seismic regulations, and other building codes all have a say in how your storage system comes together. Plan for compliance, not around it.
Test Early, Certify Always
Library storage facilities are big, long-term investments. And like any major project, you want to make sure it's built to last. That means testing. Lots of it.
From floor levelness (a must for mobile rail systems) to powder coat paint specs set by the American Library Association, every element needs to meet the mark. HVAC systems should hit temperature and humidity targets. Fire safety standards? Non-negotiable.
It's tempting to skip a step when timelines are tight. But trust us, a little extra diligence up front saves headaches (and dollars) down the road. Do it once. Do it right.
Think Beyond the First Install
Your library's collection isn't frozen in time. Whether it's newly published books, archival acquisitions, or changing special collections, growth is inevitable — and your storage should reflect that.
High-bay shelving systems can be designed to scale with your needs, using add-on modules or expandable layouts that make it easy to grow without starting from scratch. Think of it as future-proofing your facility.
At the University of Wisconsin-Madison, libraries add over a mile of books and journals per year on average. To keep up with that pace, they've embraced off-site storage facilities that not only house growing collections, but also free up campus space for study areas, tech-enhanced learning, and more.
Plan for what you need now. But design for what's coming next.
Condition. Quarantine. Protect.
You've planned for space, presentation, and access...but don't overlook what happens the first moment items enter your facility. Materials arriving from the outside world can bring temperature shifts, humidity, and — sometimes — uninvited guests.
Conditioning areas, like interior loading docks or controlled intake rooms, give books and archival items time to acclimate before hitting the shelves. This step helps prevent moisture damage and condensation that can occur when materials are moved between environments.
When it comes to pest control, a little quarantine goes a long way. Some facilities build in designated isolation spaces to make sure insects (and other shelf-unfriendly stowaways) don't spread to the broader collection.
It's the final layer of a solid preservation strategy, one that protects your investment and your archives for the long haul.
Your Library Storage Facility, Future-Proofed
High-bay library storage isn't just about building up. It's about building smart. When you ask the right questions from the start, you get a system that's efficient, flexible, and built to last.
At Patterson Pope, we've partnered with Spacesaver on projects big and small. From site planning to shelving specs, we bring strategy, experience, and support every step of the way.
Ready to talk through your facility plans? Let's get started. A smarter, future-ready storage solution might be closer than you think.
